Sliding adjustable pallet



y 7, 1966 L. J. BUDD 3,251,321

SLIDING ADJUSTABLE PALLET Filed DEC. 17, 1962 2 Sheets-=Sheet 1 F} j 13 j II 111'. 2 l2 Ilb IO 1|} /n 23 f |2b INVENTOR, Larry a/fiaa a/ A TTORNE YS May 17, 1966 L. J. BUDD SLIDING ADJUSTABLE PALLET 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 17, 1962 INVENTOR.

Aer/"yd. 54/040 BY I A ITORNEYS United States Patent 3,251,321 SLIDING ADJUSTABLE PALLET r Larry J. Budd, Elmhurst, Iil., assignor to Pallet Devices, Inc., Des Plaines, 11]., a corporation of Illinois Filed Dec. 17, 1962, Ser. No. 245,273

32 Claims. (Cl. 108-54) The present invention relates generally to a sliding adjustable pallet and method of making the same. In the past, many different types of paperboard and wooden legs have been used for palletizing articles such as corru gated boxes having parts therein. The new sliding adjustable paperboard pallet enables a user to purchase an inventory of sliding adjustable pallets which can be used for palletizing different sized boxes and packages whereby the user no longer needs to purchase pallets built to fit cartons or packages having one and the same dimension. The user can now buy a quantity of pallets of the type disclosed herein and know that each pallet can be custom fitted to the packages having varying sizes with a minimum amount ofeifort. As a result of the development of the instant new type of expandible pallet, it is no longer necessary for the user to anticipate in advance, the pallet sizes required to palletize his products so that pallets could be custom made for each package and shipped to him before the date when needed.

The present invention is concerned with an improved type of expandible pallet having a center section in assembly with expandible tubular end sections. This invention is further concerned with an expandible pallet having locking means for preventing end slidable sections from becoming accidentally detached from a center tubular section having inner ends of the end slidable sections telescoped and slidably retained therein. In the past, there has been a tendency for the end sections to be pulled out of the tube defined by the center section where the sliding adjustable pallet is being custom fitted to a package requiring the components to be reassembled. By providing the pallet with locking means, the difiiculty is now overcome in a very convenient and economical manner.

Another important feature of this invention relates to the provision of lock means on the sliding adjustable pallet whereby the tabs and grooves comprising the lock 'means can be formed in the same die cutting operations for forming the end and center section blanks.

An important feature of the present invention relates to a pallet comprised of a series of telescoped pallet sections being provided with locking means to enable the pallet to be expanded to fit the particular carton to which it is to be attached without the sections coming apart.

Another important object of this invention is to provide a new and improved technique for palletizing cartons by attaching a series of the expandible pallets or units to an underside of each carton by any suitable means such as by straps, glue and the like.

Still another important object of this invention is to provide an expandible pallet which can be more economically manufactured and fitted on a package with less time loss.

According to still further features of this invention, the pallet is comprised of three sections with the center section being tubular having tab receiving grooves and with the end sections being telescoped within the tube and having lock tabs fitted into said grooves to prevent accidental detachment of the sections.

It is still another important object of this invention to provide new method for-manufacturing an expandible paperboard pallet having locking means for preventing a series of paperboard sections from becoming separated when secured in sliding assembly together.

3,251,321 Patented May 17, 1966 Other important features and objects of this invention will more fully become apparent in view of the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings illustrating several embodiments and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a side view of an expanded sliding adjustable pallet embodying important features of the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a top view of one of the pallets with.

the dotted lines showing the pallet in an expanded position;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged fragmentary longitudinal section taken on lines IIIIH looking in the direction of the arrows shown in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged vertical section taken on the line IV-IV looking in the direction of the arrows shown in FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 5 is a transverse section taken substantially on the line VV looking in the direction indicated-by the arrows as shown in FIGURE 3; v

FIGURE 6 is a bottom plan view of a blank for forming a center pallet section;

FIGURE 7 is a plan view of a blank for forming an end pallet section;

FIGURE 8 is a side view of a modified type of expandible sliding adjustable pallet;

FIGURE 9 is a bottom view of the pallet shown in FIGURE 8 only with one section shown in an expanded position;

FIGURE 10 is a transverse section taken substantially on the line X-X looking in the direction indicated by the arrows;

FIGURE 11 is a top plan view ofa blank for forming a tubular pallet section;

FIGURE 12 is an enlarged fragmentary partially sectioned view illustrating the relationship of the legs with respect to the pallet; and

FIGURE 13 is a top plan view of the blank for forming a center pallet section.

, The reference numeral 10 indicates generally a sliding adjustable pallet disposed on surface S for attachment,

to a carton of any suitable type such as shown in US. Patent 2,594,287 granted to Larry J. Budd. A series of straps (not shown) can be provided for securing a pair of the expandible pallets or pallet units 10 to the under side of the carton. Any suitable number of the expandible pallets may be mounted on the underside of the car ton 6 depending on the size of the carton. Each of the expandible pallets is preferably manufactured from any suitable material such as paperboard of the corrugated type.

The pallet 10 is comprised of three sections including end sections 11 and 12 and a tubular center section 13.

.Attached to the underside of the pallet 10 is a set of pallet legs 14 and 14' which may be of any suitable type such as shown in my US. Patent Nos. 2,507,588 and 2,914,282. If desired, the legs 14 may comprise rectangular paperboard blocks which may be glued to an underside of the pallet 10.

'I'he pallet legs 14 which are illustrated herein are described in detail in the 1 aforesaid patents. Briefly, the legs 14 each include an inner ring 15 and an outer ring 16 which are secured by means of glue with a series of paperboard fingers 17 (FIGURE 4) which are cut from and integral at one end with the particular section to which the leg is being applied. These legs may be of a circular shape or of a. parallel sided shape as desired. The center leg 14' on the center section 13 has a shorter vertical dimension than the legs 14 provided on the end sections to enable the center section to be displaced slightly in a downward direction when the pallet 10 is loaded for leveling and distributing the load on the pallet. Excellent results can be obtained by cutting the center leg 14- /5" shorter than the end legs 14 when the paperboard used to form the sections is approximately /s thick and where the center section is approximately /2" thick.

It has been found that where the legs are all formed having the same vertical height, the end legs tend to be spaced slightly above the ground line S, assuming the slidable portions 11a and 12a of the end sections are relatively stiff, and assuming the end sections are balanced on the center section. When a pallet having legs of this type is loaded, the load embodied on the center section 13 is transmitted through the end sections 11 and 12 to the end legs 14 resulting in the end legs also being engaged upon the pallet support surface S. It has been further found that where the legs 14 are of the same vertical heighth, that the top surface 23 of the center section will be disposed in a horizontal plane above the planes of the top surface of the end sections. Still further, it has been found that when this type of pallet is loaded, the portions 11a and 12a are inclined downwardly in a direction away from the center section due to the semifiexible nature of paperboard material. In order to eliminate this downward inclination of the portions 11a and 12a, the center leg is cut shorter than the end legs previously described. Where the center leg is cut shorter, the plane of the layer 23 will be disposed in substantially the same plane as the plane of the end sections 11 and 12 at the area of the end sections, immediately above the end legs 14. By constructing the pallet with a shorter middle leg, packages may be stacked upon the pallet in vertical columns, if desired, and these packages will tend to be balanced in parallel relation on the pallet.

In the manufacture of the center section 13, a blank or strip 13 of paperboard is scored providing sets of score lines as indicated at 19-22, inclusive. The score lines may comprise creases, perforations, or perforated scores, and the like. By scoring the blank employed for manufacturing the center section 13, the blank is divided into five center blank portions 23-27, inclusive. The leg 14 is attached to the center blank portion 25 by disposing and securing the rings 15 and 16 on radially opposite sides of the fingers 17. The blank is then folded at the score lines 1922, inclusive and the center flap portions 23 and 27 are secured in lapped engagement together by any suitable means such as glue, rivets, and the like. The center flap portions 23 and 27 are preferably secured together by means of a vegetable type glue which is commonly used in the industry. To permit the formation of right angle corners, the vertical flap portion 24 is slightly longer than the vertical flap portion 26.

At the time when the center blank 13' is cut, the blank portion 27 is provided with a pair of parallel slots or grooves 28 and 29 which extend longitudinally of a tube 30, defined by the blank or strip 13 when it is folded into tubular shape, as described above. These slots extend beyond midway between opposite ends of the center section 13 to permit the end sections to be collapsed into the tube 30 as far as possible so that when the inner ends of the end sections are engaged together, the central area of the pallet and of the center section 13 will be rigidified.

The ends of the slots or grooves provide tab stops 28a and 29a, while sides of the grooves define guide edges 28b, 28b; 29b, 29b. Confronting the stops 28a and 29a are inner stops 28c, 29c which limit the inward movement of the end sections into the tube 30.

The end sections 11 and 12 are formed by cutting rectangular blanks 11a and 12a comprising these sections from a thin paperboard sheet and the legs 14 are then attached to outer ends 11b and 12b thereof.

The end sections 11 and 12 each have marginal edges provided with sets of teeth 31 and 32 for engagement with [it vertical sidewalls of the tube 30 defined by the center flap portions 24 and 26. These teeth tend to hold the end sections in any set position with respect to the center section to resist movement of the end sections during the handling of the pallet when it is being mounted on a package and after the pallet has been mounted on the package.

The teeth at the opposite marginal edges of the end sections 11 and 12 are transversely spaced a distance which corresponds approximately to the distance between the interior walls of the tube defined by the tube wall portions 24 and 26. If a more snug fit is desired between inner ends 11c and 12c of the end sections 11 and 12, the transverse distance between the teeth at the opposite marginal edges can be increased slightly so that the teeth will bite with greater force into the walls 24 and 26. Excellent results can be obtained by providing six teeth per inch of edge length at the endsections 11 and 12.

From an examination of the end sections 11 and 12, it will be noted that in addition to the inner ends and 12c, the end sections are provided with outer ends l lb and 12b and it is from the outer ends that the fingers 17 are cut to provide anchors for the rings 15 and 16 for forming the pallet legs 14. The pallet legs are formed by turning the fingers 17 away from the end sections. In addition to the fingers 17, the end sections 11 and 1-2 are provided with irregular or undulated edges 11d and 12d which terminate at opposite ends in rounded lead-in edges 111e, lle; 12e, 12e. At the time the end sections 11 and 1-2 are cut from paperboard blanks or stock, in addition to the formation of the edges 11d and 12d, the stock is further scored or creased at 11f and 12 to permit slot ta'bs 11g and 12g to be turned out of the planes of the end sections into lapped return-bent relation with respect thereto. At this point, the score lines or folds 1'1) and 12 comprise portions of the separate undulated surfaces or edges 11d and 12d. When the inner ends 1 10 and are engaged together, it will be noted that the undulated surfaces 11d and 12d are, secured in mated relation to resist torsional twisting and longitudinal bending. It will further be noted at this time from a study of FIGURE 2, that the tabs 11g and 12g are disposed topside of the end sections 11 and 12 within the tube 30 and that these tabs are engaged within the tab grooves or slots 28 and 29. These tabs provide means for preventing the end sections 11 and 12 from being accidentially detached from the center section 13. The tabs 11 and 12 can be moved longitudinally between the stops at opposite ends of the grooves or slots 28 and 29, the stops being indicated at 28a, 280, 29a, 29c.

According to the method of manufacturing the pallet 10, the slots 28 and 29 as well as the blank 13 can be formed from a single die operation wherein the opposite margins 23 and 27 can be disposed in lapped relation to form a tube and secured together by suitable means such as glue and the like. Before the portions 23 and 27 are lapped and secured together by glue or other suitable means, the fingers 17 are turned away from the center portion 25 and the rings are secured with the fingers 17 to form a shorter pallet leg 14'. The end sections 11 and 12 can also be formed in a single die operation whereby the fingers 17, the teeth, as well as the structural formation at the inner ends can all be cut out simultaneously. The tabs 11g and 12g are then folded on the fold lines 11f and 12 after the fingers have been secured with the rings to form the legs 14.

The pallet 10 may be used in several different Ways. The end sections may be expanded with respect to the center section 13 to cause the length of the pallet to be made the same as the length of the package to be palletized. If desired, the length of the end sections can be fixed by stapling or wire stitching or gluing the center section to the inner ends 110 and 12c and the end sections 11 and 12. The pallet 10 can be strapped or otherwise suitab-ly secured to the underside of the package. One or more of the pallets 10 can be secured to the underside of the package, as needed. The pallet mayfurther be used by pulling the end sections out of the tube defined by the center section 13 and then by attaching each of the sections 11, 12 and 13 independently of one another to the package by means of glue, staples and the like.

In FIGURES 8-13 is a modified sliding adjustable pallet 40. The pallet includes three pallet sections including tubular end pallet sections 41 and 42 and a center pallet section 43. This form of my invention difl ers over the form previously described in that the end sections are tubular rather than the center section. The pallet further includes a series of pallet legs 44 and 44 with the end pallet legs being designated at 44'. These pallet legs are formed from a pair of rings 45 and 46 which are attached to struck out fingers 47 in the same manner as previously described.

In the formation of the tubular end pallet sections 41 and 42, sheets of paperboard each may be die cut in a single press operation to form a blank B as shown in FIGURE 11. The blanks required to form the sections 41 and 42 are identical, and therefore, only a single die is required. In the formation of blank B, the blank is scored as indicated at 49-52, inclusive to form a series of end pallet wall portions 43-57, inclusive. It will be noted the wall portion 54 is slightly larger than the wall portion 56 to enable the sections 41 and 42 to each be compactly folded and formed into a rectangular shape. The blank'B is further provided with a semi-circular notched area 58 having a radius slightly larger than the outside radius of pallet leg 44. Of course, if the pallet leg was rectan-gularly shaped, the shape of the notched area 58 would be changed so as to be capable of nested engagement about a pallet leg of this type.

The blank B is further out to provide a groove or slot 59 defined by side edges 60 and 61 and having stops 62 and 63 at opposite ends.

When the blank is folded, the wall portion 53 is disposed on top of the wall port-ion 57 in glued or stapled assembly therewith. The pallet legs are attached to the blanks B before the blanks are folded to form pallet section tubes 64. p

The center section 43 is die cut'from a sheet of paperboard in a single press operation forming a relatively flat center section portion 43a. The portion 43a includes opposite ends 65 and 66 as well as longitudinally extending edges provided with teeth 67 which are identical to the teeth 32 described in connection with the first form of my invention. The opposite ends 65 and 66 are each cut at 68, 68 and scored at 69 so that look tabs 70 may be formed for engagement within the slots 59. The tab portions are return bent after being folded at the score line 69 and are in bottomed engagement with the portion 43a as shown in FIGURE 10.

In the assembly of the components of my pallet, after the sections 41, 42 and 43 are formed, the inner ends of the sections 41 and 42 are telescoped over the opposite ends 65 and 66 whereby the ends are engaged in the tubes 64. These ends 65 and 66 are pressed into the tubes a suflicient distance so that the lock tabs 70 are engaged within the slots 59. The slot stops 62 and 63 define the longitudinal extent of movement of the end sections 41 and 42 with respect to the center section 43.

It is significant to note the pallet legs 44' are shorter than the pallet leg 44 so that when the pallet is loaded, the legs 44' will be pressed into engagement with a ground surfaces S (FIGURE 8). results may be obtained by the manufacture of the legs 44' so that they are inch shorter than the center leg 44. By making the legs 44' so that they are inch shorter, the top surface of the tubular walls 53 may be dropped so that they are substantially in the plane of the top surface of the center wall portion 43a when the pallet 40 is in an expanded position and in a loaded condition.

When the end sections 41 and 42 are in a contracted Excellent r 6' position, inner ends or edges 41a and 42a are engaged in edgewise abutting relation, and the semi-circular areas 58 are fitted about the center or longer pallet leg 44. It will be appreciated that the central area of the pallet is registered when the end sections are in the contracted position.

It is believed that the method of forming the pallet 40 has been described in connection with the description already set forth. In this regard, it will be appreciatedthat the blanks are all formed to shape in single die cutting operations and that the blanks which are used to form the end sections are identical to one another. After the blanks have been formed, the end section blanks are folded at the score lines with tubular portions 53 and 57 secured in lapped assembly together. The lock tabs 70 are then turned back on the center section and the tubes 64 onthe end sections 41 and 42 are engaged over the outer ends 65 and 66 of the center section 43 and this results in the lock tabs 70 being engaged in the slots 59. It will be appreciated that the legs 44 are preferably attached to the tubes 64 after the blanks B are formed into tubes. It is possible that other types of pallet legs could be attached to the section walls 55 after the blanks B have been formed into tubes. One example would be where the pallet legs are-glued directly to the section wall 55 without the use of the fingers 47.

Although minor modifications might be suggested by those versed in the art, it should be understood that I wash to embody within the scope of the patent warrented hereon, all such modifications as reasonably and properly come within the scope of my contribution to the art.

I claim as my invention:

1. An expandible paper board pallet comprised of a series of sections having means permitting the sections to be slid with respect to one another into relative contracted and expanded positions, at least one of said sections comprising a strip having opposite ends disposed in lapped relation forming a tube, means securing said opposite ends in lapped assembly with it at least another one of said sections telescoped within said tube, locking means preventing the sections from becoming accidentally detached from one another, and pallet legs mounted on one side of said sections. a

2. An expandible paperboard pallet including end and center sections with the center section comprising a strip having opposite ends secured in lapped assembly providing a tube and each of said end sections having an inner end telescoped in sliding assembly therein, the tube having a pair of stops disposed therein, the end sections each having an abutment shoulder engageable with one of said stops and with said stops and abutment shoulder providing means for preventing the end sections from being accidentally detached from the center section, and pallet legs provided on said sections.

3. An expandible paperboard pallet including end and center sections with the center section comprising a strip having opposite ends secured in lapped assembly providing a tube and each of said end sections having an inner end telescoped in sliding assembly within the tube, the center section having a pair of longitudinal extending grooves opening interiorly, of the tube, the inner end of said end sections having a pair of tabs formed thereon and engaged within said grooves with said tabs and groves providing means -for preventing the end sections from being accidentally disengaged from the center section, and pallet'legs provided on the underside of said sections for elevating the sections off of a ground surface.

4. In a method of manufacturing an expandible paper'- board pallet comprising the steps of forming a pair of ends sections and a center blank from paperboard stock and cutting a pair of grooves 7 in the center blank in one margin of the center blank,

forming and attaching a series of legs to one side of the end sections and the center blank,

folding opposite margins of the center blank into lapped relation forming a tubular center section defining a tube with the grooves extending longitudinally in the interior of the tube,

bending back tab portions on inner ends of the end sections, and

engaging the inner ends of the end sections in opposite ends of the tube and engaging the tabs in said grooves whereby the end sections are slidable with respect to the center section with the tabs being movable in the grooves and with the grooves providing stops for preventing accidental detachment of the end sections from the center section.

5. An expandible palletized support including end and center sections with the center section comprising a tube and each of said end sections having an inner end telescoped in sliding assembly within the tube, the center section having a pair of longitudinal extending grooves opening interiorly of the tube, end sections having a pair of lock tabs formed thereon adjacent inner ends of the end sections and with the lock tabs being struck out from the associated sections and being engaged within said grooves and cooperable with the grooves together providing means for preventing the end sections from being accidentally disengaged from the center section.

6. An expandible palletized support including end and center sections with the center section comprising a tube and each of said end sections having an inner end telescoped in sliding assembly Within the tube, the

center section having a pair of longitudinal extending grooves opening interiorly of the tube, end sections, having a pair of lock tabs formed thereon adjacent inner ends of the end sections and with the lock tabs being struck out from the associated sections and being engaged within said grooves and cooperable with the grooves together providing means for preventing the end sections from being accidentally disengaged from the center section, said sections exclusive of said legs comprising three pieces of paperboard with one of said pieces being folded into a rectangularly shaped tube and with one margin of the piece folded into the tube having longitudinally extending grooves therein with said tabs engaged therein.

7. An expandible palletized support including end and center sections with the center section comprising a tube and each of said end sections having an inner end telescoped in sliding assembly within the tube, the center section having a pair of longitudinal extending grooves opening interiorly of the tube, end sections having a pair of lock tabs formed thereon adjacent inner ends of the end sections and with the lock tabs being engaged within said grooves and cooperable with the grooves together providing means for preventing the end sections from being accidentally disengaged from the center section, said sections exclusive of said legs comprising three pieces of paperboard with one of said pieces being folded into a rectangularly shaped tube and with one margin of the piece folded into the tube having longitudinally extending grooves therein with said tabs engaged therein, said other pieces each having an inner end which is scored and return-bent forming said locking tab.

8. An expandible support for palletizing different sized packages including a pair of end sections and a center section with the center section comprising a strip of material having end portions secured in lapped relation providing'a tube having vertical side walls, each of said end sections having an inner end telescoped in sliding as-,

sembly within the tube, one of said end portions on the center section having a pair of longitudinal extending slots opening interiorly of the tube, the inner end of said end sections having a pair of tabs formed thereon and engaged within said slots with said tabs and grooves providing means for preventing the end sections from being accidentally disengaged from the center section, said end sections each having longitudinally spaced teeth along opposite marginal edges engaged with said vertical side walls of said tube for resisting longitudinal movement of said end sections with respect to said center section when said tabs are disposed in adjusted position with said slots upon adjusting the position of the end sections with respect to the center section so as to correspond with a bottom of a package to be pelle-tized.

9. An expandible palletized support including end and center sections with the center section comprising a tube and each of said end sections having an inner end telescoped in sliding assembly within the tube, the center section having a pair of longitudinal extending grooves opening interiorly of the tube, end sections having a pair of lock tabs formed thereon adjacent inner ends of the end sections and with the lock tabs being engaged within said grooves and cooperable with the grooves together providing means for preventing the end sections from being accidentally disengaged from the center section, said inner ends of said end sections having undulated transversely extending meshed edges when engaged in end-to-end relation for resisting longitudinal bending and torsional twisting of the support and with said tabs being disposed topside of said meshed edges.

10. In a method of manufacturing an expandible pallet comprising a series of sections having pallet legs on an underside thereof, the steps of I forming a pair of end sections each having tabs and a center blank from sheet stock and cutting a pair of grooves in the center blank,

folding the center blank into a tube with the grooves extending longitudinally and opening interiorly of the tube, and

engaging inner ends of the end sections in opposite ends of the tube and engaging the tabs in the grooves whereby the end sections are slidable with respect to the said section with the tabs being movable in the grooves providing stops for preventing accidental detachment of the end sections from the center sections.

11. An expandible pallet comprised of a series of paperboard sections having means permitting the sections to be slid with respect to one another into relative contracted and expanded positions, locking means preventing the sections from becoming accidentally detached from one another, and pallet legs mounted on one side of said sections, said locking means comprising slots and tabs provided on said sections with the tabs being struck from the material of the associated section and engaged Within the slots and limiting longitudinal movement of the sections with respect to one another.

12. In a method of manufacturing an expandible pallet comprising a series of sections having pallet legs on an underside thereof, the steps of forming a pair of end sections each having tabs and a center tubular section having tab receiving slots, displacing the tabs out of the plane of the end sections,

and

engaging inner ends of the end sections in opposite ends of the tube and engaging the tabs in the grooves whereby the end sections are slidable with respect to the said section with the tabs being movable in the grooves providing stops for preventing accidental detachment of the end sections from the center sections.

13. The pallet of claim 1 further characterized by said sections including a pair of tubular end sections and a center section with the center section having opposite ends telescoped and secured within tubes defined by said tubular end sections.

14. The pallet of claim 13 further characterized by said center section having teeth along its margins for engagemeat with wall areas of the tubes for resisting accidental displacement.

15. The pallet of claim 1 further characterized by said sections'including a pair of end sections and a tubular center section with the end sections having inner ends disposed within opposite ends of a' tube defined by said sections.

17. An expandible pallet comprised of a pair of tubular end sections and a center section with opposite ends of the center section disposed and secured within tubes defined by the tubular end sections for relative movement within the tubes into contracted and expanded positions, and pallet legs mounted on one side of said sections, the pallet legs on the end sections being shorter than the pallet leg on the center section.

, 18. An expandible pallet comprised of a pair of tubular end sections and a center section with opposite ends of the center section disposed and secured within tubes defined by the tubular end sections for relative movement within the tubes into contracted and expanded positions, pallet legs mounted on one side of said sections, and locking means for preventing the sections from becoming accidentally detached from one another comprising tabs formed on said opposite ends of said center section and tab slots defined internally of said tubes with said tabs engaged within said tab slots.

. 19. An expandible paperboard pallet comprised of a pair of tubular paperboard end sections and a flat paperboard center section with opposite ends of the flat center section disposed and secured within relatively fiat tubes defined by the tubular end sections for relative movement within the tubes into contracted and expanded positions, pallet legs mounted on one side of said sections, and locking means for preventing the sections from becoming accidentally detached from one another comprising tabs secured with and reverse bent over said opposite ends of said flat center section and flat tab slots defined internally of said flat tubes with said tabs engaged within said tab slots.

20. An expandible pallet comprised of a pair of tubular end sections and a center section with opposite ends of the center section disposed and secured within tubes defined by the tubular end sections for relative movement within the tubes int-o contracted and expanded positions, and pallet legs mounted on one side of said sections, said end sections each having an inner end and a notched area on a bottom wall for fitted engagement about the pallet leg on said center section when said sections are disposed in a contracted position.

21. An expandible pallet comprised of a pair of tubular end sections and a center section with opposite ends of the center section disposed and secured within tubes defined by the tubular end sections for relative movement within the tubes into contracted and expanded positions, and pallet legs mounted on one side of said sections, said end sections each having an inner end and a notched area on a bottom wall for fitted engagement about the pallet leg on said center section when said sections are disposed in a contracted position, said inner ends of said end sections being in endwise abutting relation when said end sections are disposed in said contracted position.

22. An expandible pallet comprised of a pair of tubular end sections anda center section with opposite ends of the center section disposed and secured within tubes defined by the tubular end sections for relative movement within the tubes into contracted and expanded positions, and pallet legs mounted on one side of said sections, the pallet legs on the end sections being shorter than the pallet leg on the center section permitting the end sections to be depressed when the pallet is in an expanded position and in a loaded condition with a top surface of the end sections being operatively disposed in a plane of a top surface of the center section for uniform loading of the pallet.

23. An expandible paperboard pallet comprised of a pair of tubular end sections and a center section with opposite ends of the center section disposed and secured within tubes defined by the tubular end sections for relative movement within the tubes into contracted and expanded positions, the center section having teeth along its margins engaged with side wall areas of the tubes, and

pallet legs mounted on one side of said sections.

24. A method of manufacturing a pallet comprising the steps of cutting out a pair of blanks and scoring the blanks at spaced intervals along the length, attaching legs to the blanks, folding the blanks at the score lines forming the blanks into tubes, cutting out a center section having a dimension of such size to permit the center section to be telescoped into the tubes, attaching a pallet leg to the center section, and telescoping opposite ends of the center section into tubes defined by the tubular end sections to form an expandible pallet.

25. A method of manufacturing a pallet comprising the steps of cutting out a pair of'blanks and scoring the blanks at spaced intervals along the lengths, attaching legs to the blanks, folding the blanks at the score lines forming the blanks into tubes, cutting out a center section having a dimension of such size to permit the center section to be telescoped into the tubes, forming a pallet leg longer than the aforesaid pallet legs and attaching the longer pallet leg to the center section, and telescoping opposite ends of the center section into tubes defined by the tubular end sections to form an expandible pallet.

'26. A method of manufacturing a pallet from paperboard comprising the steps of cutting out a pair of blanks and scoring the blanks at spaced intervals along the length, attaching legs to the blanks, folding the blanks at the score lines forming the blanks into rectangularly shaped tubes, cutting out a center section having. a dimension of such size to permit the center section to be telescoped into the tubes while contemporaneously cutting teeth in opposite marginal edges, attaching a pallet leg to the center section, and telescoping opposite ends of the center section into tubes defined by the tubular end sections to form an expandible pallet and with the teeth being engaged with side walls of the tubes.

27. Themethod of manufacturing a pallet comprising the steps of cutting out a pair of blanks as well as a slot in each while scoring the blanks at spaced intervals along the length, attaching legs to the blanks, folding the blanks at the score lines forming the blanks into tubes with the slots opening interiorly of the tubes, cutting out a center section having a dimension of such size to permit the center section to be telescoped into the tubes while contemporaneously cutting tabs therein between opposite margins in position for engagement in said slots, attaching a pallet leg to the center section, bending the tabs to extend away from the center section, and telescoping opposite ends of the center section into tubes defined by the tubular end sections and engaging the tabs in thev slots to form an expandible pallet.

'28. An expandible pallet which 'has a substantially greater length as compared to its width and being comprised of three relatively flat paperboard sections with at least one of said sections comprising a sheet of paperboard having spaced sets of parallel score lines, the sheet of paperboard being folded at the score lines providing a rectangular flat tube and with at least one other of said sections being slidingly engaged within an end of the rectangular tube defined by said tubular section, the fiat tube having a width at least several times its height, the sections being slidingly movable relative to one another for varying the length of the pallet for attachment with different sized articles to be palletized, and pallet legs mounted on said sections at a bottom side of the pallet, the rectangular flat tube having a pair of longitudinally extending grooves opening interiorly of the tube, and

vinner ends of the other sections having tabs provided thereon and engaged in said grooves preventing the end sections from being accidentally disengaged from the fiat tube.

29. An expandible pallet which has a substantially greater length as compared to its width and being comprised of three relatively flat paperboard sections with at least one of said sections comprising a sheet of paperboard having spaced sets of parallel score lines, the sheet of paperboard being folded at the score lines providing a rectangular fiat tube and with at least one other of said sections being slidingly engaged within an end of the rectangular tube defined by said tubular section, the fiat tube having a width at least several times its height, the sections being slidingly movable relative to one another for varying the length of the pallet for attachment with different sized articles to be pallet-ized, and pallet legs mounted on said sections at a bottom side of the pallet, said paperboard sections having locking means preventing the sections from becoming longitudinally detached from one another, said locking means comprising slots and tabs provided on said sections with the tabs being engaged Within the slots and resisting longitudinal movement of v the sections with respect to one another.

30. The pallet of claim 29 further characterized by each of said tabs comprising a portion of the paperboard of the associated section and being return bent and disposed in lapped relation to the paperboard comprising the associated section.

31. An expa'ndible pallet which has a substantially greater length as compared to its width and being comprised of three relatively flat paperboard sections with at least one of said sections comprising a sheet of paperboard having spaced sets of parallel score lines, the sheet of paperboard being folded at the score lines providing a rectangular fiat tube and with at least one other of said sections being slidingly engaged within an end of the rectangular tube defined by said tubular section, the flat tube having a width at least several times its height, the sections being slidingly movable relative to one another for varying the length of the pallet for attachment with 4 different sized articles to be palletized, and pallet legs 12 mounted on said sections at a bottom side of the pallet, endmost of said sections having confronting inner ends having undulated transversely extending meshed edges when engaged in end-to-end relation for resisting longitudinal bending and torsional twisting.

32. An expandible pallet comprised of three relatively fiat paperboard sections with at least one of said sections comprising a sheet of paperboard having spaced sets of parallel score lines, the sheet of paperboard being folded at the score lines providing a parallel sized tube and with at least one other of said sections being comprised of paperboard and being slidingly engaged within an end of the parallel sided tube defined by said tubular sect-ion, said parallel sided tube having lapped ends, means securing said lapped ends in lapped assembly, the sections being slidingly movable relative to one another for varying the length of the pallet for attachment with different sized articles to be palletized, and pallet legs mounted on said sections at a bottom side of the pallet, said paperboard sections having locking means preventing the sections from becoming longitudinally detached from one another, said locking means comprising slots and tabs provided on said sections with the tabs being engaged within the slots and resisting longitudinal movement of the sections with respect to one another.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,774,268 8/1930 Harding 10865 X 2,261,314 11/1941 Vogel 36 2,377,911 6/ 1945 Warren 108-54 2,556,611 6/1951- Borgman 182---223 2,594,287 4/1952 Budd 10853 X 2,604,982 7/ 1952 Cibie 220-8 X 2,626,715 2/1953 Budd 108-51 X 2,675,936 4/1954 Ridge 108-58 X 2,739,776 3/ 1956 Terando 10854 2,852,785 9/1958 Mikola 182223 X 2,873,934 2/1959 Settles 10854 2,909,349 10/1959 Morris 108-54 2,942,827 6/1960 Edson 10854 3,053,598 9/1962 Cheslow 10864 FRANK B. SHERRY, Primary Examiner.

G. O. FINCH, Assistant Examiner. 

1. AN EXPANDIBLE PAPER BOARD PALLET COMPRISED OF A SERIES OF SECTIONS HAVING MEANS PERMITTING THE SECTIONS TO BE SLID WITH RESPECT TO ONE ANOTHER INTO RELATIVE CONTRACTED AND EXPANDED POSITIONS, AT LEAST ONE OF SAID SECTIONS COMPRISING A STRIP HAVING OPPOSITE ENDS DISPOSED IN LAPPED RELATION FORMING A TUBE, MEANS SECURING SAID OPPOSITE ENDS IN LAPPED ASSEMBLY WITH IT AT LEAST ANOTHER ONE OF SAID SECTIONS TELESCOPED WITHIN SAID TUBE, LOCKING MEANS PREVENTING THE SECTIONS FROM BECOMING ACCIDENTALLY DETACHED FROM ONE ANOTHER, AND PALLET LEGS MOUNTED ON ONE SIDE OF SAID SECTIONS. 